Split mesh end ring

ABSTRACT

The present invention generally provides a seal assembly, or seal array, having a seal body and one or more non-extrusion end rings to prevent or minimize extrusion of the seal body between either the packer assembly and the casing or between the packer assembly and the gauge ring used to energize the seal assembly. More particularly, the end ring of the present invention has discrete deformable portions, which may be integrally encapsulated within a resilient cover or which may be provided as separate end ring members. The discrete deformable portions may further be provided with a deformable hinge portion formed therebetween.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to sealing devices and, moreparticularly, to seals, packings and the like used in environmentswherein at least a portion of the sealing device is subjected toextrusion forces. Typically, such forces are experienced by down holeoil tools. For example, in the application of a down hole packer, thearea between the oil tool and the well casing is sealed.

2. Related Art

Sealing devices, such as seals or packings, whether of the dynamic orstatic type, are typically made of materials which, to some extent areresilient or at least deformable. In order to seal effectively, it maytypically be necessary for the sealing device to be placed under somecompressive loading between the components of the assembly to be sealed.Because of the compressive load and the deformable nature of at least aportion of the seal, if the seal is subjected to sufficient pressure andtemperature, there may be a tendency for portions of the seal to besubjected to extrusion forces which may distort the seal and impair itseffectiveness as a seal. In more severe cases, such forces may alsoforce portions of the seal into clearances between the components to besealed.

Previous solutions have been contemplated to prevent or minimize suchextrusion problems. For example, FIG. 2 shows a prior seal assembly, orseal array, 200, including a seal body 110 and a pair of non-extrusionend rings 230. Traditional non-extrusion end rings 230 of this type areof one-piece design and are typically constructed of stainless steelwire mesh woven and compacted to provide for controlled deformationwhile preventing or minimizing extrusion within the annulus formedbetween the packer assembly 10 and the casing 30 desired to be sealed. Aproblem with this type of seal array arises as the portion of thenon-extrusion end rings 230 proximate the packer assembly 10 may tend tolift outwardly away from the packer assembly 10 as compressive forcesare applied to energize the seal body 110 as the portion of thenon-extrusion end rings 230 proximate the casing 30 deform radiallyoutward and away from the seal body to fill the annulus 40 therebetween.To minimize the portion of the end rings 230 proximate the mandrel, orbody, 50 from lifting away from the packer mandrel 50, other prior sealarrays such as seal array 300 shown in FIG. 3 have provided a notch 330integrated within the end ring 320. The notch 330 provides a pivot pointto control the location of the pivot and to minimize lifting of the endring 320 from the packer mandrel 50. Such an arrangement has not provento be sufficient to prevent or adequately minimize extrusion by the sealbody 110, particularly between the end ring 320 and the packer mandrel50. Other prior seal arrays have provided complex arrangements of wedgesor other configurations, which also have proven impractical orinsufficient.

Accordingly, there is a need for a packer assembly and, moreparticularly, a seal assembly having a simple, inexpensive,non-extrusion end ring that will minimize lifting of the end ring fromthe packer mandrel and minimize or prevent extrusion of the seal bodywithin the annulus provided between the packer assembly and the casing,between the element and the mandrel, and between the end ring itself andthe packer assembly.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a non-extrusion endring for use with a packer seal array to seal against the inside wall ofa well casing and against a packer mandrel, wherein the non-extrusionring includes at least first and second discrete deformable portions. Afeature of this aspect of the invention is that the first discretedeformable portion may be an axial sealing portion for preventingextrusion of a resilient seal body between a packer mandrel and a packergauge ring, and the second discrete deformable portion may be a radialsealing portion for preventing extrusion of the resilient seal bodybetween the gauge ring and the inside wall of the casing. Anotherfeature is that the axial sealing portion may be adapted to movegenerally axially along the packer mandrel. The radial sealing portionmay also be adapted to move generally radially away from the packermandrel and generally outwardly away from the seal body to seal anannulus between the packer gauge ring and the inside wall of the wellcasing. Yet another feature is that the non-extrusion end ring mayfurther include a resilient, deformable, hinge portion disposed betweenthe axial and radial sealing portions.

Still another feature is that the resilient, deformable, hinge portionmay be fixedly connected to or integral with the seal body, and theresilient, deformable, hinge portion may be fixedly connected to theaxial and radial sealing portions of the non-extrusion end ring.Further, the axial sealing portion may be disposed between the packermandrel and the radial sealing portion, and the non-extrusion end ringmay include a retaining ring associated therewith and located proximatethe packer mandrel and the axial sealing portion of the non-extrusionend ring. Still further, the axial and radial sealing portions may eachcomprise wire mesh, and the wire mesh of the axial sealing portion maybe encapsulated within a resilient coating. The resilient coating of theaxial sealing portion may be rubber, and the wire mesh of the radialsealing portion may be encapsulated within a resilient coating. Further,the resilient coating of the radial sealing portion may also be rubber.As an alternative to providing a resilient coating, the wire mesh may beimpregnated with a resilient material.

Yet another feature of this aspect of the invention is that the wiremesh of both the axial and radial sealing portions may each beseparately encapsulated within a resilient coating, and the resilientcoating may be rubber. Further, the wire mesh of both the axial andradial sealing portions may be encapsulated together within a resilientcoating, and the resilient coating may be rubber.

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a seal array foruse with a packer having a packer mandrel and first and second gaugerings for compressing and energizing the seal array to seal against theinside wall of a well casing and against the packer mandrel, comprising:a resilient seal body; at least a first and second non-extrusion endring disposed proximate opposing ends of the seal body between the sealbody and the first and second gauge rings, respectively; and each of thenon-extrusion rings including at least first and second discretedeformable portions.

A feature of this aspect of the present invention is that the firstdiscrete deformable portion may be an axial sealing portion forpreventing extrusion of the seal body between the packer mandrel and apacker gauge ring, and wherein the second discrete deformable portion isa radial sealing portion for preventing extrusion of the resilient sealbody between the gauge ring and the inside wall of the casing. The axialsealing portion may be adapted to move generally axially along thepacker mandrel, and the radial sealing portion may be adapted to movegenerally radially away from the packer mandrel and generally outwardlyaway from the seal body to seal an annulus between a packer gauge ringand the inside wall of the well casing. The seal array may furtherinclude a resilient, deformable, hinge portion disposed between theaxial and radial sealing portions, and the resilient, deformable, hingeportion is fixedly connected to or integral with the seal body. Theresilient, deformable, hinge portion may be fixedly connected to theaxial and radial sealing portions of the non-extrusion end ring, and theaxial sealing portion may be disposed between the packer mandrel and theradial sealing portion.

Another feature of this aspect of the invention is that the seal bodymay include a retaining ring associated therewith and located proximatethe packer mandrel and the axial sealing portion of the non-extrusionend ring. Further, the axial and radial sealing portions may eachcomprise wire mesh, and the wire mesh of the axial sealing portion maybe encapsulated within a resilient coating. The resilient coating of theaxial sealing portion may be rubber, and the wire mesh of the radialsealing portion may be encapsulated within a resilient coating. Theresilient coating of the radial sealing portion may be rubber, and thewire mesh of both the axial and radial sealing portions may each beseparately encapsulated within a resilient coating, which may be rubber.Further, the wire mesh of both the axial and radial sealing portions maybe encapsulated together within a resilient coating, and the resilientcoating may be rubber.

In still another aspect, the invention may be directed to a packerassembly to seal against the inside wall of a well casing, comprising: apacker mandrel; a seal array disposed around the packer mandrel,including: a resilient seal body; at least a first and secondnon-extrusion end ring disposed proximate opposing ends of the sealbody; each of the non-extrusion rings including at least first andsecond discrete deformable portions; and first and second gauge ringsdisposed around the packer mandrel on opposing ends of the seal arrayfor compressing and energizing the seal array to seal against the insidewall of a well casing and against the packer mandrel. A feature of thisaspect of the invention is that the first discrete deformable portionmay be an axial sealing portion for preventing extrusion of the sealbody between the packer mandrel and a packer gauge ring, and the seconddiscrete deformable portion may be a radial sealing portion forpreventing extrusion of the resilient seal body between the gauge ringand the inside wall of the casing.

Another feature of this aspect of the invention is that the axialsealing portion may be adapted to move generally axially along thepacker mandrel, and the radial sealing portion may be adapted to movegenerally radially away from the packer mandrel and generally outwardlyaway from the seal body to seal an annulus between a packer gauge ringand the inside wall of the well casing. The packer assembly may furtherinclude a resilient, deformable, hinge portion disposed between theaxial and radial sealing portions, and the resilient, deformable, hingeportion may be fixedly connected to or integral with the seal body,wherein the resilient, deformable, hinge portion may be fixedlyconnected to the axial and radial sealing portions of the non-extrusionend ring. The axial sealing portion may be disposed between the packermandrel and the radial sealing portion.

Still another feature of this aspect of the invention is that the sealbody may include a retaining ring associated therewith and locatedproximate the packer mandrel and the axial sealing portion of thenon-extrusion end ring. Further, the axial and radial sealing portionsmay each comprise wire mesh, and the wire mesh of the axial sealingportion may be encapsulated within a resilient coating, wherein theresilient coating of the axial sealing portion may be rubber. Further,the wire mesh of the radial sealing portion may be encapsulated within aresilient coating, which may be rubber. Still further, the wire mesh ofboth the axial and radial sealing portions may each be separatelyencapsulated within a resilient coating, which may be rubber. Stillfurther, the wire mesh of both the axial and radial sealing portions maybe encapsulated together within a resilient coating, and the resilientcoating may be rubber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages andobjects of the present invention are attained and can be understood indetail, a more particular description of the invention, brieflysummarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereofwhich are illustrated in the appended drawings.

It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlytypical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to beconsidered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to otherequally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a combined elevational and cross-sectional view of a packerwithin a section of casing incorporating a sealing assembly inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial view, partly in cross-section, of a first priornon-extrusion end ring, shown in connection with a conventional sealbody.

FIG. 3 is a partial view, partly in cross-section, of a second priornon-extrusion end ring, shown in connection with a conventional sealbody.

FIG. 4 is a partial view, partly in cross-section, of a first embodimentof a non-extrusion end ring of the present invention shown in connectionwith a conventional seal body.

FIG. 5 is a partial view, partly in cross-section, of a secondembodiment of a non-extrusion end ring of the present invention shown inconnection with an improved seal body in accordance with the secondembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial view, partly in cross-section, of a third embodimentof a non-extrusion end ring of the present invention shown in connectionwith an improved seal body in accordance with the third embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides a seal assembly, or seal array,having a seal body and one or more non-extrusion end rings to prevent orminimize extrusion of the seal body between either the packer assemblyand the casing or between the packer assembly and the gauge ring used toenergize the seal assembly. More particularly, the end ring of thepresent invention has discrete deformable portions, which may beintegrally encapsulated within a resilient cover or which may beprovided as separate end ring members. The discrete deformable portionsmay further be provided with a deformable hinge portion formedtherebetween.

First Embodiment

FIG. 4 illustrates a seal assembly 400 according to a first embodimentof the present invention, shown disposed around a packer mandrel 50 andbetween two packer gauge rings 20 of a packer assembly 10. Packerassembly 10 is shown disposed within a section of well casing 30 withina production well. Seal assembly, or seal array, 400 includes a sealbody 110 disposed around packer mandrel 50 between the packer mandrel 50and an inside surface 32 of casing 30. An annular space 40 is providedinitially between seal body 110 and the inside surface 32 of casing 30to enable the unset packer to be inserted in the wellbore during runningoperations of the packer assembly 10. It is this annular space 40 withinwhich the seal body 110 is designed to be expanded to seal a desireddownhole section within the casing 30. Seal body 110 includes a v-shapednotch 120 to facilitate proper expansion of the seal body 110 within thecasing 30 to seal against the inside surface 32 of the casing 30. Packerassembly 10 includes a pair of gauge rings 20 disposed on opposing sidesof the seal body 110, at least one of which is adapted to slide alongpacker mandrel 50 in a direction towards seal body 110 to engage andenergize seal body 110. Gauge rings 20 may typically have an outerdiameter approximating the drift diameter of the packer assembly 10. Anannular space is, therefore, generally provided between the gauge rings20 and the inside surface 32 of the casing 30 to facilitate running ofthe packer assembly 10 within casing 30.

Seal assembly 400 further includes non-extrusion end rings 410 disposedaround the packer mandrel 50 and between the seal body 110 and the gaugerings 20 to prevent or minimize extrusion of the seal body between themandrel 50 and the gauge rings 20 and between the gauge rings 20 and theinside surface 32 of the casing 30. In the first embodiment, thenon-extrusion rings 410 comprise a first deformable portion 420 and asecond deformable portion 430. The first and second deformable portions420, 430 are preferably discrete sealing portions, each of which arepreferably a discrete interlocking wire mesh unit.

In the context of the present invention, discrete sealing portions mayinclude sealing portions 420, 430 in which the wire mesh in one sealingportion does not interlock between the two sealing portions. It shouldbe noted that the discrete sealing portions 420, 430 may be joinedand/or encapsulated by a common resilient member, as described furtherhereinafter, or may otherwise be connected to one another. However, thewire mesh units comprising the discrete sealing portions 420, 430 do notinterlock in the preferred embodiment or otherwise engage with oneanother. As a result, one of the sealing portions 420, 430 is permittedto pivot, or flare, and move generally radially away from the mandrel 50and generally outwardly away from the seal body 110 while the other ofthe sealing portions 420, 430 is permitted to move generally axiallyalong the mandrel 50 between the seal body 110 and the gauge ring 20without being lifted away from the mandrel 50 by the movement of theother sealing portion 420, 430 because they are not connected.

Preferably, the first sealing portion 420 is an axial sealing portion,which is adapted to move generally axially along the mandrel 50 withoutlifting away from the mandrel 50 as the gauge ring 20 compresses thenon-extrusion end ring 410 against the seal body 110 to engage the sealbody 110. The second sealing portion 430 is preferably a radial sealingportion 430.

The radial sealing portion 430 is adapted to flare and move generallyradially away from the mandrel 50 and generally outward away from theseal body 110 as the seal body 110 is engaged outward by the compressiveforce from the gauge ring 20. The radial and outward movement of radialseal portion 430 as seal body 110 expands to fill the annular space 40causes radial seal portion 430 to fill the annular space 40 between theseal body 110 and the gauge ring 20 thus preventing or minimizingextrusion of the resilient seal body 110 within the annular space 45between the gauge ring 20 and the inside surface 32 of the casing 30.

The axial sealing portion 420 is adapted to move axially along themandrel 50 as the gauge ring 20 moves generally toward and compressesthe seal body 110. The axial movement of axial sealing portion 420without induced rotation from radial sealing portion 430 as gauge ring20 compresses the seal body 110 allows the axial sealing portion 420 tomaintain full contact of its inside surface against the mandrel 50. Bypreventing or minimizing lifting of the axial sealing portion 420 fromthe surface of the mandrel 50, seal body 110 is minimized or preventedfrom extruding between the axial sealing portion 420 and the mandrel 50,which prevents or minimizes extrusion of the seal body 110 between thegauge ring 20 and mandrel 50.

In the first embodiment, non-extrusion end ring 410 further includes aresilient, non-mesh, hinge portion 440. Hinge portion 440 is disposedbetween the axial and radial sealing portions 420, 430, and ispreferably constructed of HNBR rubber, but could be constructed of anyresilient, deformable material having the desired characteristics.Preferably, the material is suitably sized and selected with sufficientresilience to allow movement of the radial sealing portion 430 withouttranslating the movement of the radial sealing portion 430 to the axialsealing portion 420, which could otherwise lift the axial sealingportion 420 from the surface of the mandrel 50. The interlocking meshmaterial selected for the radial and axial sealing portions 430, 420 isconventional, and may preferably be a woven and compacted mesh ofinterlocking stainless steel wire. However, it should be noted thatother suitable materials may be selected having the desirablecharacteristics. It should also be noted that the hinge portion 440 maybe a separate ring of resilient material, the hinge portion 440 may bebonded to or otherwise attached to sealing portions 420, 430, or it maybe encapsulated along with sealing portions 420, 430 within a coating ofrubber or other suitable material to provide a composite unit of 3discrete elements. Also note that, in an alternative embodiment, theresilient material is impregnated into the base material, or elements(as opposed to coating the base materials or elements), to form thecomposite unit.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 5 illustrates a seal assembly 500 according to a second embodimentof the present invention, shown disposed around a packer mandrel 50 andbetween two packer gauge rings 20 of a packer assembly 10. Packerassembly 10 is shown disposed within a section of well casing 30 withina production well. Seal assembly, or seal array, 500 includes animproved seal body 560 disposed around packer mandrel 50 between thepacker mandrel 50 and an inside surface 32 of casing 30. An annularspace 40 is provided initially between seal body 560 and the insidesurface 32 of casing 30 to enable the unset packer to be inserted in thewellbore during running operations of the packer assembly 10. It is thisannular space 40 within which the seal body 560 is designed to beexpanded to seal a desired downhole section within the casing 30. Sealbody 560 includes a v-shaped notch 120 to facilitate proper expansion ofthe seal body 560 within the casing 30 to seal against the insidesurface 32 of the casing 30. Packer assembly 10 includes a pair of gaugerings 20 disposed on opposing sides of the seal body 560, which areadapted to slide along packer mandrel 50 in a direction towards sealbody 560 to engage and energize seal body 560. Gauge rings 20 maytypically have an outer diameter approximating the drift diameter of thepacker assembly 10 to centralize the assembly. An annular space is,therefore, generally provided between the gauge rings 20 and the insidesurface 32 of the casing 30 to facilitate running of the packer assembly10 within casing 30.

Seal assembly 500 further includes non-extrusion end rings 510 disposedaround the packer mandrel 50 and between the seal body 560 and the gaugerings 20 to prevent or minimize extrusion of the seal body 560 betweenthe mandrel 50 and the gauge rings 20 and between the gauge rings 20 andthe inside surface 32 of the casing 30. In the second embodiment, thenon-extrusion rings 510 comprise a first deformable portion 520 and asecond deformable portion 530. The first and second deformable portions520, 530 are preferably discrete sealing portions, each of which arepreferably a discrete interlocking wire mesh unit. In the context of thepresent invention, discrete sealing portions may include sealingportions 520, 530 in which the wire mesh in one sealing portion does notinterlock between the two sealing portions. The wire mesh unitscomprising the discrete sealing portions 520, 530 do not interlock orotherwise engage with one another. As a result, one of the sealingportions 520, 530 is permitted to flare and move generally radially awayfrom the mandrel 50 and generally outwardly away from the seal body 560while the other of the sealing portions 520, 530 is permitted to movegenerally axially along the mandrel 50 between the seal body 560 and thegauge ring 20 without being lifted away from the mandrel 50 by theradial and outward movement of the other sealing portion 520, 530.

Preferably, the first sealing portion 520 is an axial sealing portion520, which is adapted to move generally axially along the mandrel 50without lifting away from the mandrel 50 as the gauge ring 20 compressesthe non-extrusion end ring 510 against the seal body 560 to engage theseal body 560. The second sealing portion 530 is preferably a radialsealing portion 530.

The radial sealing portion 530 is adapted to flare and move generallyradially away from the mandrel 50 and generally outward away from theseal body 560 as the seal body 560 is engaged outward by the compressiveforce from the gauge ring 20. The radial and outward movement of radialseal portion 530 as seal body 560 expands to fill the annular space 40causes radial seal portion 530 to fill the annular space 40 between theseal body 560 and the gauge ring 20 thus preventing or minimizingextrusion of the resilient seal body 560 within the annular space 45between the gauge ring 20 and the inside surface 32 of the casing 30.

The axial sealing portion 520 is adapted to move axially along themandrel 50 as the gauge ring 20 moves generally toward and compressesthe seal body 560. The axial movement of axial sealing portion 520without induced rotation from radial sealing portion 530 as gauge ring20 compresses the seal body 560 allows the axial sealing portion 520 tomaintain full contact of its inside surface against the mandrel 50. Bypreventing or minimizing lifting of the axial sealing portion 420 fromthe surface of the mandrel 50, seal body 560 is minimized or preventedfrom extruding between the axial sealing portion 520 and the mandrel 50,which prevents or minimizes extrusion of the seal body 560 between thegauge ring 20 and mandrel 50.

In the second embodiment, the improved seal body 560 includes aresilient, non-mesh, hinge, or flange, portion 540. Hinge portion 540 isintegral with or otherwise connected to the seal body 560 and is adaptedto be received by and/or otherwise disposed between the axial and radialsealing portions 520, 530. The seal body 560 and flange portion, orhinge portion 540 thereof is preferably constructed of HNBR rubber, butcould be constructed of any resilient, deformable material having thedesired characteristics. Preferably, the material is suitably sized andselected with sufficient resilience to allow flaring of the radialsealing portion 530 without translating the movement of the radialsealing portion 530 to the axial sealing portion 520, which couldotherwise lift the axial sealing portion 520 from the surface of themandrel 50. The interlocking mesh material selected for the radial andaxial sealing portions 530, 520 is conventional, and may preferably be awoven and compacted mesh of interlocking stainless steel wire. However,it should be noted that other suitable materials may be selected havingthe desirable characteristics.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 6 illustrates a seal assembly 600 according to a third embodimentof the present invention, shown disposed around a packer mandrel 50 andbetween two packer gauge rings 20 of a packer assembly 10. The packerassembly 10 is shown disposed within a section of well casing 30 withina production well. Seal assembly, or seal array, 600 includes animproved seal body 660 disposed around packer mandrel 50 between thepacker mandrel 50 and an inside surface 32 of casing 30. An annularspace 40 is provided initially between seal body 660 and the insidesurface 32 of casing 30 to enable the unset packer to be inserted in thewellbore during running operations of the packer assembly 10. It is thisannular space 40 within which the seal body 660 is designed to beexpanded to seal a desired downhole section within the casing 30. Sealbody 660 includes a v-shaped notch 120 to facilitate proper expansion ofthe seal body 660 within the casing 30 to seal against the insidesurface 32 of the casing 30. Packer assembly 10 includes a pair of gaugerings 20 disposed on opposing sides of the seal body 660, which areadapted to slide along packer mandrel 50 in a direction towards sealbody 660 to engage and energize seal body 660. Gauge rings 20 maytypically have an outer diameter approximating the drift diameter of thepacker assembly 10. An annular space is, therefore, generally providedbetween the gauge rings 20 and the inside surface 32 of the casing 30 tofacilitate running of the packer assembly 10 within casing 30.

Seal assembly 600 further includes non-extrusion end rings 610 disposedaround the packer mandrel 50 and between the seal body 660 and the gaugerings 20 to prevent or minimize extrusion of the seal body 660 betweenthe mandrel 50 and the gauge rings 20 and between the gauge rings 20 andthe inside surface 32 of the casing 30. In the first embodiment, thenon-extrusion rings 610 comprise a first deformable portion 620 and asecond deformable portion 630. The first and second deformable portions620, 630 are preferably discrete sealing portions, each of which arepreferably a discrete interlocking wire mesh unit. In the context of thepresent invention, discrete sealing portions may include sealingportions 620, 630 in which the wire mesh does not interlock between thetwo sealing portions. It should be noted that the discrete sealingportions 620, 630 may be encapsulated within a common rubber coating (orimpregnated with) to form a single unit of two discrete elements, or mayotherwise be connected to one another. However, the wire mesh unitscomprising the discrete sealing portions 620, 630 do not interlock orotherwise engage with one another. As a result, one of the sealingportions 620, 630 is permitted to flare and move generally radially awayfrom the mandrel 50 and generally outwardly away from the seal body 660while the other of the sealing portions 620, 630 is permitted to movegenerally axially along the mandrel 50 between the seal body 660 and thegauge ring 20 without being lifted away from the mandrel 50 by theradial and outward movement of the other sealing portion 620, 630.

Preferably, the first sealing portion 620 is an axial sealing portion620, which is adapted to move generally axially along the mandrel 50without lifting away from the mandrel 50 as the gauge ring 20 compressesthe non-extrusion end ring 610 against the seal body 660 to engage theseal body 660. The second sealing portion 630 is preferably a radialsealing portion 630.

The radial sealing portion 630 is adapted to flare and move generallyradially away from the mandrel 50 and generally outward away from theseal body 660 as the seal body 660 is engaged outward by the compressiveforce from the gauge ring 20. The radial and outward movement of radialseal portion 630 as seal body 660 expands to fill the annular space 40causes radial seal portion 630 to fill the seal the annular space 40between the seal body 660 and the gauge ring 20 thus preventing orminimizing extrusion of the resilient seal body 660 within the annularspace 45 between the gauge ring 20 and the inside surface 32 of thecasing 30.

The axial sealing portion 620 is adapted to move axially along themandrel 50 as the gauge ring 20 moves generally toward and compressesthe seal body 660. The axial movement of axial sealing portion 620without induced rotation from radial sealing portion 630 as gauge ring20 compresses the seal body 660 allows the axial sealing portion 620 tomaintain full contact of its inside surface against the mandrel 50. Bypreventing or minimizing lifting of the axial sealing portion 620 fromthe surface of the mandrel 50, seal body 660 is minimized or preventedfrom extruding between the axial sealing portion 620 and the mandrel 50,which prevents or minimizes extrusion of the seal body 660 between thegauge ring 20 and mandrel 50.

In the third embodiment, improved seal body 660 includes a pair ofretaining rings 640 on opposing ends of seal body 660, each of which maycomprise a non-mesh deformable ring similar in materials to that of sealportions 620, 630, it may be a brass or bronze, or it may be constructedof any other suitable materials having the desired characteristics.Retaining ring 640 may be either integrally molded within seal body 660,or it may be separately inserted into grooves provided along opposingends of seal body 660 along its inside diameter proximate mandrel 50. Inthe third embodiment shown, the retaining ring 640 is preferably sizedhaving essentially the same diameter of axial sealing portion 620 and isdesigned to abut axial sealing portion 620 upon compression andenergizing of the seal body 660 by gauge ring 20. The use of retainingring 640 may assist in preventing or minimizing extrusion of seal body660 between the axial sealing portion 620 and the mandrel 50. Thus, thecombination of the axial sealing portion 620 and the retainer ring 640provides a double back-up system preventing extrusion. Preferably, thedimensions of sealing portions 620, 630 are selected such that anannular gap 650 is provided initially between axial sealing portion 620and retaining ring 640 when sealing portion 630 is initially engagedwith seal body 660. Accordingly, engagement and activation of the sealassembly 600 by gauge ring 20 will initially flare and expand sealingportion 630 before engagement between axial sealing portion 620 and sealbody 660. It should be noted that a conventional seal body 110, havingno retaining ring may also be used in connection with the thirdembodiment of the non-extrusion end rings 610.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6, the improved seal body 660 shown in FIG.6 may also be utilized in connection with the first embodiment of thenon-extrusion end rings 410 shown in FIG. 4 and described in detailhereinabove. In such an embodiment (not shown), the axial sealingportion 420 would preferably be sized having a smaller outside diameterthan that of retaining ring 640 of the improved seal body 660. However,other configurations are contemplated having, for example, the sameoutside diameters between the axial sealing portion 420 and theretaining ring 640.

Referring again to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 6, theinterlocking mesh material selected for the axial and radial sealingportions 620, 630 is conventional, and may preferably be a woven andcompacted mesh of interlocking stainless steel wire. However, it shouldbe noted that other suitable materials may be selected having thedesirable characteristics.

Accordingly, while the foregoing is directed to preferred embodiments ofthe present invention, other and further embodiments of the inventionmay be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. Forexample, any number of end rings may be utilized in connection with aparticular seal assembly. Further, conventional or other seal bodies maybe utilized in connection with any of the embodiments described herein.The scope of the invention is determined by the claims which follow. Itis the express intention of the applicant not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112,paragraph 6 for any limitations of any of the claims herein, except forthose in which the claim expressly uses the word “means” together withan associated function.

We claim:
 1. An end ring for use with a packer seal array that sealsagainst the inside wall of a well casing and against a packer body, theend ring comprising: at least first and second discrete deformableportions, wherein the first discrete deformable portion is an axialsealing portion abutting a seal body, and the second discrete deformableportion is a radial sealing portion abutting the seal body andpositioned radially outside the first discrete deformable portion; and aresilient, deformable, hinge portion disposed between the axial andradial sealing portions.
 2. The end ring of claim 1, wherein the axialsealing portion is adapted to move generally axially along the packerbody.
 3. The end ring of claim 2, wherein the radial sealing portion isadapted to move generally radially away from the packer body andgenerally outwardly away from the seal body to seal an annulus between apacker gauge ring and the inside wall of the well casing.
 4. The endring of claim 1, wherein the resilient, deformable, hinge portion isfixedly connected to or integral with the seal body.
 5. The end ring ofclaim 1, wherein the resilient, deformable, hinge portion is fixedlyconnected to the axial and radial sealing portions of the end ring. 6.The end ring of claim 1, wherein the axial and radial sealing portionseach comprise wire mesh.
 7. The end ring of claim 6, wherein the wiremesh of the axial sealing portion is encapsulated within a resilientcoating.
 8. The end ring of claim 6, wherein the wire mesh of the radialsealing portion is encapsulated within a resilient coating.
 9. The endring of claim 6, wherein the wire mesh of both the axial and radialsealing portions are each separately encapsulated within a resilientcoating.
 10. The end ring of claim 6, wherein the wire mesh of both theaxial and radial sealing portions are encapsulated together within aresilient coating.
 11. The end ring of claim 6, wherein the wire mesh ofthe axial sealing portion is impregnated within a resilient material.12. The end ring of claim 6, wherein the wire mesh of the radial sealingportion is impregnated within a resilient material.
 13. A packer sealfor sealing between a packer body and a wall of a well conduit, thepacker seal comprising: a seal element having opposing ends; a firstaxial sealing portion and a second axial sealing portion for abuttingthe packer body and positioned proximal opposing sides of the sealelement; a first radial sealing portion and a second radial sealingportion abutting opposing sides of the seal element; the first andsecond radial sealing portions positioned radially outside the first andsecond axial sealing portions respectively; and a first and secondretainer ring abutting opposing sides of the seal element.
 14. A sealarray for use with a packer having a packer mandrel and first and secondgauge rings for compressing and energizing the seal array to sealagainst the inside wall of a well casing and against the packer mandrel,the seal array comprising: a resilient seal body; at least a first andsecond end ring disposed proximate opposing ends of the seal body; andeach of the rings including at least first and second discretedeformable portions, wherein the first discrete deformable portion is anaxial sealing portion abutting the seal body; and the second discretedeformable portion is a radial sealing portion abutting the seal bodyand positioned radially outside the first discrete deformable portion,wherein the axial sealing portion is adapted to move generally axiallyalong the packer mandrel, wherein the radial sealing portion is adaptedto move generally radially outwardly from the packer mandrel, whereinthe radial sealing portion is positioned radially outside the axialsealing portion, wherein each ring further comprises a hinge portionbetween the axial sealing portion and the radial sealing portion toenable the radial sealing portion to move generally radially outwardlywithout radially lifting the axial sealing portion.
 15. The seal arrayof claim 14, wherein the hinge portion is attached to the axial andradial sealing portions.
 16. The seal array of claim 15, wherein thehinge portion is formed of a resilient, deformable material to allowradial movement of the radial sealing portion without radially liftingthe axial sealing portion.
 17. The seal array of claim 14, wherein eachring further comprises a coating encapsulating the axial sealingportion, radial sealing portion, and hinge portion.
 18. The seal arrayof claim 14, wherein the hinge portion is attached to the seal body. 19.The seal array of claim 14, wherein the hinge portion is integral withthe seal body.
 20. A seal array for use with a packer having a packermandrel and first and second gauge rings for compressing and energizingthe seal array to seal against the inside wall of a well casing andagainst the packer mandrel, the seal array comprising: a resilient sealbody; at least a first and second end ring disposed proximate opposingends of the seal body; and each of the rings including at least firstand second discrete deformable portions, wherein the first deformableportion is adapted to move axially along the packer mandrel and thesecond deformable portion is adapted to move radially outwardly awayfrom the packer mandrel, wherein each ring further comprises a hingeportion between the first and second deformable portions.
 21. The sealarray of 20, wherein the hinge portion is formed of a resilient,deformable material.
 22. The seal array of claim 21, wherein the hingeportion is adapted to enable the second deformable portion to moveradially outwardly without lifting the first deformable portion.
 23. Theseal array of claim 20, wherein each of the first and second discretedeformable portions comprises a wire mesh unit.
 24. A packer assembly toseal against the inside wall of a well casing, comprising: a packermandrel; a seal array disposed around the packer mandrel, the seal arraycomprising: a resilient seal body; at least a first and second end ringdisposed proximate opposing ends of the seal body; each of the ringsincluding at least first and second discrete deformable portions; andfirst and second gauge rings disposed around the packer mandrel onopposing ends of the seal array for compressing and energizing the sealarray to seal against the inside wall of a well casing and against thepacker mandrel, wherein the first deformable portion is adapted to moveaxially along the packer mandrel and the second deformable portion isadapted to move radially outwardly away from the packer mandrel, whereinthe first and second deformable portions are not interlocked to enablethe second deformable portion to move radially outwardly without liftingthe first deformable portion.
 25. The packer assembly of claim 24,wherein the first deformable portion is positioned radially between thepacker mandrel and the second deformable portion.
 26. A packer assemblyto seal against the inside wall of a well casing, comprising: a packermandrel; a seal array disposed around the packer mandrel, the seal arraycomprising: a resilient seal body; at least a first and second end ringdisposed proximate opposing ends of the seal body; each of the ringsincluding at least first and second discrete deformable portions; andfirst and second gauge rings disposed around the packer mandrel onopposing ends of the seal array for compressing and energizing the sealarray to seal against the inside wall of a well casing and against thepacker mandrel, wherein the first deformable portion is adapted to moveaxially along the packer mandrel and the second deformable portion isadapted to move radially outwardly away from the packer mandrel, whereinthe first deformable portion is positioned radially between the packermandrel and the second deformable portion, wherein each ring furthercomprises a resilient, deformable hinge portion disposed between thefirst and second deformable portions.
 27. The packer assembly of claim26, wherein the hinge portion is attached to the first and seconddeformable portions.
 28. The packer assembly of claim 26, wherein thehinge portion is attached to the seal body.
 29. The packer assembly ofclaim 26, wherein the hinge portion is integral with the seal body. 30.The packer assembly of claim 26, wherein each of the first and seconddeformable portions comprises wire mesh units.
 31. A packer assembly toseal against the inside wall of a well casing, comprising: a packermandrel; a seal array disposed around the packer mandrel, the seal arraycomprising: a resilient seal body; at least a first and second end ringdisposed proximate opposing ends of the seal body; each of the ringsincluding at least first and second discrete deformable portions; andfirst and second gauge rings disposed around the packer mandrel onopposing ends of the seal array for compressing and energizing the sealarray to seal against the inside wall of a well casing and against thepacker mandrel, wherein each end ring further comprises a retaining ringabutting the seal body.
 32. The packer assembly of claim 31, wherein theretaining ring is disposed between the seal body and the firstdeformable portion.
 33. The packer assembly of claim 32, wherein theretaining ring has a diameter sized to have substantially the samediameter as the first deformable portion.
 34. The packer assembly ofclaim 33, wherein a combination of the first deformable portion and theretaining ring provides a double back-up system to prevent extrusion.35. A packer seal for sealing between a packer body and a wall of a wellconduit, the packer seal comprising: a seal element having opposingends; a first axial sealing portion and a second axial sealing portionfor abutting the packer body and positioned proximal opposing sides ofthe seal element; a first radial sealing portion and a second radialsealing portion abutting opposing sides of the seal element; and thefirst and second radial sealing portions positioned radially outside thefirst and second axial sealing portions respectively, wherein each ofthe first and second radial sealing portions is adapted to move radiallyoutwardly without lifting a corresponding one of the first and secondaxial sealing portions.
 36. A packer seal for sealing between a packerbody and a wall of a well conduit, the packer seal comprising: a sealelement having opposing ends; a first axial sealing portion and a secondaxial sealing portion for abutting the packer body and positionedproximal opposing sides of the seal element; a first radial sealingportion and a second radial sealing portion abutting opposing sides ofthe seal element; the first and second radial sealing portionspositioned radially outside the first and second axial sealing portionsrespectively; a first resilient, deformable hinge portion disposedbetween the first axial sealing portion and the first radial sealingportion; and a second resilient, deformable hinge portion disposedbetween the second axial sealing portion and the second radial sealingportion.
 37. The packer seal of claim 36, wherein the first and secondaxial sealing portions abut the seal element.